Dyeable fiber-forming compositions of an acrylonitrile-containing polymer and a cyanoethyl acrylate ester/alkyl acrylate ester copolymer



United States Patent 3,113,122 DYEABLE FIBER-FORMING COMPOSITIONS OF AN ACRYLONlTRlLE-CONTAINING POLYMER AND A CYANOETHYL ACRYLATE ESTER/ ALKYL ACRYLATE ESTER COPOLYMER Edward M. La Combo and Paul D. Berry, Charleston, W. Va., assignors to Union Carbide Corporation, a corporation of New York No Drawing. Filed Apr. 12, 1960, Ser. No. 21,612 9 Claims. (Cl. 260-455) This invention relates to new and valuable fiber-forming compositions. More particularly it is concerned with acrylonitrile polymer compositions capable of being dyed by the conventional procedures.

It is well known that polyacrylonitrile and copolymers of acrylonitrile with one or more other monoolefinic polymerizable monomers are excellent fiber-forming polymers. These polymers have excellent tensile properties. desirable elongation. and excellent stability under a wide range of chemical and physical conditions. However, their ability to be dyed with disperse and acid dyes leaves something to be desired and most often the fibers do not have sufficient dye aflinity to enable dyeing by the conventional dyeing techniques; and in many instances the dyes so applied are not light fast or stable to laundering and dry cleaning procedures.

The most frequently proposed solution to improving the dyeability of acrylonitrilc-containing fibers with dispcrse and acid dyes has been that of incorporating a basic monomer, such as methyl vinyl pyridine. Such monomers do improve the dye receptivity of the fibers substantially; however. they also cause other undesirable effects. For example, the color stability at elevated temperatures is seriously impaired, as is the light stability of the dyed fabric.

It has now been found that acrylonitrile polymers can be rendered dye-receptive in the above manner by incorporating with them a minor amount of a copolymcr of a cyanoethyl acrylate ester with an alkyl acrylate ester. As used herein. art acrylonitrile polymer is a polymer containing at least about 35% by weight of acrylonitrile and not more than about 65% by weight of at least one other polymerizable monoolefinie monomer copolymerizable therewith. Fibers produced from such polymers have been given the generic names of acrylic and modacrylic fibers by the Federal Trade Commission, under the provisions of the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act enacted by Congress on September 2, i958. Thus, there is included in this definition homopolymers of acrylonitrile, copolymers, terpolymers, etc. The acrylonitrile polymers are produced by procedures which are well known to the art; and many of said polymers are commercially available.

The modifying copolymers incorporated with the acrylonitrile polymer are the copolymers of a cyanoethyl acrylate ester represented by the general formula:

R Cli|=JZCOO CllsOlIrON with an alkyl acrylatc ester represented by the general formula:

II CHI-$000,

wherein it represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical. and it represents an alkyl radical containing from I to about 12 carbon atoms. The preferred cyanoethyl ncryiate ester/ailtyl acrylate ester contain from about60% to about 95% by weight of the cyanoethyl acrylate ester and from about to about 40% by weight of the alkyl acrylate ester in the copolymer molecule. Broadly from 3,113,122 Patented Dec. 3, 1963 about 3% to 30% by weight, and preferably from about 5% to about 20% by weight, of said copolymer is effectively employed in preparing the valuable dyeable, fiberforming compositions of this invention.

The cyanoethyl acrylate esters suitable for use in the production of the modifying copolymers are 2-cyanoethyl ncrylate and Z-cyanoethylmethacrylate. Suitable alkyl acrylate esters that can be copolymerized with the 2- cyanoethyl acrylate esters are methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl aerylate, t-butyl acrylate, butyl mcthaerylate. pentyl acrylate, isopentyl methacrylate, pentyl methacrylate, hexyl acrylate, hexyl methacrylate, heptyl acrylate, octyl aerylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, Z-ethylhexyl methacrylate, decyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, dodecyl methacrylate, and the like. These modifying copolymers are readily produced by polymerization processes well known in the art, for example, by polymerization of a mixture of the two monomers in an inert organic diluent while in contact with a peroxidic catalyst.

The dyeable. fiber-forming compositions can be prepared by mixing the solid polymers in conventional mixing equipment, such as, dough mixers, roll mixers, Banbury mixers: or by lluxing the solid polymers. The most effective method of mixing, however, involves treatment in the solution state. and accordingly the polymers are dissolved together in suitable inert organic solvents, for example. acetone, acetonitrile, N.N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimcthylaeetamide, gamma-butyrolactone, ethylene carbonate. ethylene carbamate, N-methyl-Z-pyrrolidone, etc. The solution of the blended compositions of this invention can then be spun into fibers by the conventional wet or dry spinning techniques. After stretching the fibers to orient the molecules and develop the desired tensile properties. and shrinking to improve their thermal properties. the fibers produced with the compositions of this invention can be employed in the many applications in which acrylonitrile fibers are generally employed. During the blending operation other additives such as delusterants, heat and light stabilizers, etc., can be added if desired.

The fibers produced with the acrylonitrile compositions of this invention are readily dyed by conventional dyeing techniques with a wide variety of dyestuffs to produce highly colored fibers of desirable properties. The fibers produced from the compositions of this invention are dyed to deeper shades and absorb more dye from the dyebath than do the fibers prepared from the unmodified acrylonitrile polymers.

The reduced viscosity (i of the polymer is a measure of the degree of polymerization and is defined by the equation:

wherein AN is the difference between the flow-time of the solution and the flow-time of the solvent, N is the flowtime of the solvent, and C is the concentration of the resin in solution expressed in grams per ml. of solution.

Three methods were employed to quantitatively measure the dye absorption values, as set forth below:

PROCEDURE l Upon completion of the dyeing cycle, the dyed sample was removed from tho dyebnth and squeezed by hand. The excess liquor squeezed from the dyed cloth was returned to the dycbath and the dyed fabric was scoured in 500 ml. of 99% isopropanol at room temperature to remove adsorbed dycstuil, which is soluble in isopropanol, from the fabric. Then 2 ml. of the dyebath after dyeing of the fabric was diluted with two ml. of 99% isopropanol.

Two ml, of this solution was then diluted to 50 ml. with a 50/50 isopropanol/water solution and the transmission of this final solution was then spectrophotometrically dctermined using the Model B Bcckman spectrophotometer at a wave length of 50 miilimicrons. From a predetermined curve of transmission versus concentration of the dyestulf, the actual amount of dyestuii remaining in the dyebath after dyeing was then calculated. The difference between this amount and the original amount of dyestuif present in the dyebath is the amount of dye both absorbed and adsorbed (or exhausted) by the fiber during the dyeing operation. To show the actual improvement in the amount of dye absorbed by the fibers containing the polymeric dye assistants, a 25 ml. sample of the 99% isopropanol scour bath was diluted with 25 ml. of water. The amount of dyestuil' in the scour bath was then calculated from the transmission value of this solution plotted out on the transmission versus concentration curve. This amount of dyestufi is the adsorbed dye which when subtracted from the amount of dye actually exhausted from the dye bath leaves the amount of dye absorbed by the fiber. It then follows that A absorbed dye 1 available dye Then,

Percent total dye absorbed by sample Percent total dye absorbed by control PROCEDURE II In this procedure, a piece of the dyed and scoured fabric weighing 0.1 gm. is dissolved in 100 cc. of dimethylt'ormamide. The transmission of this solution at 590 millimicrons is measured using the Bausch and Lomb Spcc' trenic 20 spectrophotometer. The amount of dyestutl in this 100 ml. of solution, which is equal to the amount of dyestulf absorbed by the 0.1 gm. sample of fabric, is read directly from the curve of transmission versus concentration of the dyestuti in dimethylformamide. By simple proportion the amount of dyestuii absorbed by the total weight of fabric is calculated. Then, the percent dye absorbed is calculated by the equation,

A amount oi dye absorbed A amount of dye available X 100==pereent of the total available dye absorbed by the sample the percent increase in dye absorption due to the inclusien of the cyanocthyl acrylate ester/alkyl acrylate ester polymeric dye assistant is calculated as follows:

- Percent total dye absorbed by sample X Percent total dye absorbed by control PROCEDURE Hi (KIS for cam le mo R5 for control A full description of this procedure is to be found in an article by D. B. Judd, Color in Business, Science and industry, 1952, pp. 314-342.

The following examples further serve to illustrate the invention but are not intended to limit it.

A copolymer was produced by reacting a mixture of 540 g. of Z-cyanoethyi acrylate, 60 g. of ethyl acrylate, 900 g. of acetonitrile, and 30 ml. of a 25% by weight solution of diacetyl peroxide in dimcthyl phthalate at 50 C. for e 7 hour period in a sealed vessel at autogenous pressure. A measured quantity of the cooled reaction mixture was slowly poured into a ten fold excess of methanol to precipitate the copolymer. The copolymer was filtered and dried at 50' C. The weight of this sample indicated that the polymerization was complete, thus 570 g. of the copolymer of 2-cyanocthyl acrylate/ethyl acrylate had been made. Analysis of the copolymer indicated that it contained 91.5% 2-cyanoethyl acrylate; the reduced viscosity was 1.25 as measured at 30 C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of copolymer in ml."of N,N-dimethylformamide. The balance of the copolymer solution was diluted with acctonitriie so that the final solution contained 20% by weight of the 2-cyanocthyi acryiate/ethyl aerylate copolymer.

Two hundred grants of the above copolymer solution. containing 40 g. of the copolymer, was added to and dissolved in 1060 g. of acetonitrile at room temperature. Then 360 g. of a terpolymer resin containing about 70% by weight of acrylonitrile, about 20% by weight of vinyl chloride, and about 10% by weight of vinylidene chloride (prepared as described in US. 2,868,756), and 16 g. of a 50/50 mixture of dioctyl tin maleate and 2-0- ethylhexyloxy)-5-ethyl-2-oxo-4-propyi-l,3,2 dioxaphospherinane as heat and light stabilizer were added and mixed to form a resin slurry. This slurry contained 10% by weight of the Z-cyanoethyl acrylate/ethyl acryiate cepolymer, based on the total resin weight. The temperature of the slurry was raised, while agitating, to 80' C. thereby solvating the resin and obtaining a homogeneous solution. The mixing vessel was then covered and the solution filtered under pressure and metered to a spinnerette having 100 holes, each 0.1 mm. in diameter. The multifilament yarn was coagulated in a 60 C. aqueous bath containing 10% acetonitrile. The yarn produced from the compositions of this invention was withdrawn from the bath and washed with a dilute aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol, dried, stretched 500% at a temperature of about C., and then annealed at about 215 C. allowing 15.2% relaxation (Yam 1). A control yarn (Yarn II) was spun in a similar manner for comparison purposes from the same terpolymer, containing the same quantities of heat and light stabilizers, but without any Z-cyanoethyi acrylate/ethyi acrylate eopolymer present. The properties of the two yarns are summarized below:

Yar 1 1i Tensile strength, g.p.d. (ABTM D-iIlSD-hfl) 3. 4 2. it Eion atlon, percent 20 it! Bhrln percent In:

Bell on water 3.5 1. 5 I50 0. Air 2.5 1.0 7.0 3.5

(A) Samples of knit fabric weighing 13.9 g. prepared from each of the above yarns were dyed in separate dyebaths. The dyeings were made from a boiling 4% (based on the weight of the fabric) Cclliton Fast Red GGA dyebath having a liquor to fabric ratio of 30 ml.: lg. Oclliton Fast Red GGA (Prototype 236, Colour Index No. 11210) is a disperse or acetate dyestuif and is made by coupling diazotiaed p-nitroaniline to N,N-dihydroxyethylm-toluidlne. After 2 hours at the boil, during which time constant dyebath volume was maintained, the fabric was scoured, rinsed and dried. The knitted yarn fabric prepared from the composition of this invention (Yam 1) was dyed a deep red shade and dye absorption values determined by Procedure I after completion of the dyeing showed that 66.5% of the dye available in the dycbath had been absorbed by the fabric. The control fabric (Yarn 11), however, was dyed a light red shade and dye absorption values by Procedure I after completion of the dyeing showed that only 38.9% of the dye available in the dyebath had been absorbed by the fabric. Thus, the dye absorption of the fibers produced from the compositions of this invention was 71% greater than that of the control unmodified fibers.

(B) The same fabrics employed in (A) above were dyed with the acid dyestutf Xylene Milling Blue BL (Colour Index 833). Two dyeing techniques were employed; the first was the conventional dyeing technique, and the second was by the well known cuprous-ion technique wherein cupric ions introduced into the dycbath as cupric sulfate are reduced the cuprous state with any suitable reducing agent, such as, hydroxylammonium sulfate. zinc formaldehyde sulfoxyiate, glyoxal, etc., to enhance the dyeability of acrylonitrile containing yarns.

Dyebath 1, used for dyeing the fabrics by the conventional technique, was prepared by conventional procedures and contained the following ingredients, with all materials based on the weight of the fabric:

4% Xylene Milling Blue BL 5% sulfuric acid 30 ml.:1 g. liquor to fabric ratio Twelve gram samples of fabrics knitted from Yam 1 and control Yarn 11 were dyed as described in section (A) using separate dyebaths of Xylene Milling Blue BL prepared as indicated immediately above. Yarn l was dyed an attractive dark blue shade and dye absorption values determined by Procedure 11 after completion of the dyeing showed that 20.5% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Control Yarn 11 was dyed an unattractive light blue shade and dye absorption values determined by Procedure ll after completion of the dyeing showed that only 3.08% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Thus, the dye absorption of Yam 1 was 565% greater than that of control Yarn ll.

Dyebath 2, used for dyeing the fabrics by the cuprousion technique was prepared by conventional procedures and contained the following ingredients; all materials are based on the weight of the fabric:

4% Xylene Milling Blue BL 2% cupric sulfate 1% hydroxylammonium sulfate 1% sulfuric acid 30 ml.:1 g. liquor to fabric ratio Approximately 13.1 g. samples of fabrics knitted from Yam 1 and control Yarn 11 were dyed as described in section (A) using separate dycbaths of Xylene Milling Blue BL prepared as described immediately above. Yarn 1 was dyed an attractive deep dark blue shade and dye absorption values determined by Procedure ll after completion of the dyeing showed that 82.8% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Control Yarn 11 was dyed a light blue shade and dye absorption values determined by Procedure 11 after completion of the dyeing showed that only 10.5% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Thus, the dye absorption of Yarn I was 690% greater than that of control Yarn 11.

(C) Yam 1 and control Yarn 11 (13.4 g. samples of knit fabric of each) were dyed with the basic cationic dyestulf Victoria Green Small Crystals (Colour Index 657) by the same procedure described in Section (A) above. The dycbath was prepared by conventional procedures and contained the following ingredients, with all materials based on the weight of the fabric:

4% Victoria Green Small Crystals 0.5% acetic acid 30 ml.:l g. liquor to fabric ratio Yarn 1 was dyed an attractive dark green shade and dye absorption values determined by Procedure 111 after completion of the dyeing showed a K/S value of 12.9. Control Yarn 11 was dyed a light green shade and dye absorption values determined by Procedure 111 after completion of the dyeing showed a K/S value of 3.4. Thus, the dye absorption of Yarn I was 280% greater than that of control Yarn 11.

Example 2 A copolymer was produced by reacting a mixture of 279 g. of Z-cyanoethyl acrylate, 21 g. of ethyl acryiate, 450 g. of N,N-dimethyiforamide, and 15 ml. of a 25% by weight solution of diacetly peroxide in dimethyl phthalate at 50 C. for a 6 hour period in a sealed vessel at autogenous pressure. A measured quantity of the cooled reaction mixture was slowly poured into a large excess of methanol to precipitate the 2-cyanoethyl acrylatc/ethyl acrylate copolymer. The copolymer was filtered and dried. The weight of this sample indicated that the polymerization was 91% complete. Analysis of the copolymer showed that it contained 92% 2-cynnocthyl acrylate; the reduced viscosity was 1.20 as measured at 30 C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of copolymer in ml. of N,N-dimethylformamide. The balance of the reaction mixture was slowly poured into a large excess of methanol to precipitate the Z-cyanoethyi acryiatc/ethyl acrylate copolymer, which was filtered, dried, and then dissolved in MN- dimethylformumidc to make a solution containing 25.7% by weight of the copolymer.

A 116.7 g. portion of the above copolymer solution, containing 30 g. of the copolymer, was added to and dissolved in 513 g. of N,N-dimethylformamide. The solution was chilled to 0' C. and g. of polyacrylonitriie, having a reduced viscosity of 1.90 as measured at 30 C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of polyacryonitriie per 100 ml. of N,N-dimcthylformamide, was added and mixed to form a slurry. Three grams of dioctyl tin maleate was added as heat and'i'hght stabilizer. The slurry contained 20% by weight of the Z-cyanoethyl acryiate/ethyl acrylate copolymer, based on the total resin weight. The temperature of the slurry was raised, while agitating, to 80' C. thereby solvating the resin and obtaining a homogeneous solution. The solution was extruded through a spinnerctte as described in Example 1. The extruded muitifiiament yarn was coaguiatcd in a 90' C. dipropyiene glycol bath. The yarn produced from the composition of this invention was withdrawn from the bath, washed in 80' C. water, and wound onto a bobbin. Two ends of the yarn were stretched together to the extent of 700% to produce a 200 filamcnt, 240 denier yarn by passing through a steam stretching tube at about 117' C., twisted, continuously annealed at 200 C. allowing 15% relaxation, and wound into a. package (Yarn iii). A control yarn (Yarn IV) was spun in a similar manner from the same poiyacrylonitriie but without any Z-cyanoethyl acrylate/ethyl acrylrue copolymer present. The properties of the two yarns are summarized below:

Yarn 111 IV Tensile strength, g.p.d Elongation, poroont. Bhrln a, percent in:

Bull C determined by Procedure 11 after completion of the dyeing showed that only 19.8% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Thus the dye absorption of Yarn III was 387% greater than that of Yarn 1V.

Example 3 A copolymcr was produced as described in Example 2 by reacting a mixture of 180 g. of Z-cyanoethyl acrylate, 120 g. of ethyl acrylate, 450 g. of acetonitrile, and 15 ml. of a 25% by weight solution of diacetyl peroxide in di' methyl phthalate. The Z-cyanoethyl aerylate/cthyl acrylate copolymcr had a 61% Z-eyanoethyl acrylate content, and a reduced viscosity of 1.90 at 30' C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of copolymer in 100 ml. of N,N-dimethylformamide. The reaction mixture was diluted with additional acetonitrile to make a solution containing 19.4% by weight of the copolymer.

A 38.3 g. portion of the above copolymcr solution, containing 7.5 g. of the copolymer. was added to and dissolved in 419.2 g. of acetone. The solution was chilled to about C. and 142.5 g. of a copolymer of about 60% vinyl chloride and about 40% acrylonitrile having a reduced viscosity of 1.30 as measured at 30' C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of said copolymcr per 100 ml. of N,N-dimethylt'ormamide was added and mixed to form a slurry. Three grams of dioctyl tin maleate was added as heat and light stabilizer. The slurry contained by weight of the Z-cyanoethyl acrylate/cthyl acrylate copolymcr, based on the total resin weight. The temperature of the slurry was raised. while agitating. to 60' C. to obtain a homogeneous solution. The solution was extruded through a spinnerette as described in Example 1. The extruded multifilament yarn was coagulatcd in a 50' C. aqueous bath containing acetone. The yarn produced from the composition of this invention was withdrawn from the bath. washed with 80' C. water, wound onto a bobbin, and dried in a 55 C. air oven for several hours. Two ends of the yarn were stretched together to the extent of 100096 to produce a 200 filament, 167 denier yarn by passing through a steam stretching tube at about 117' C., continuously annealed at 140' C. allowing 15% relaxation and wound into a package (Yarn V). A control yarn (Yarn Vi) was spun in a similar manner from the same vinyl chloride/acrylonitrile copolymcr but without any Z-cyanoethyl acrylate/ethyl acrylate copolymcr present. Samples of fabric knit from each of the above yarns were dyed as described in Example 2, and it was observed that Yarn V had a higher dye absorption value than Yarn V1. The properties of the undyed yarns are summarized below:

Example 4 A copolymcr was produced as described in Example 2 by reacting a mixture of 90 g. of Z-eyanoethyl acrylate. 10 g. of methyl methacrylate, 150 g. of acetonitrile. and 5 ml. of a 25% solution of diacctyl peroxide in dimethyl phthalate. Conversion was 97% to a copolymer having a Z-cyanoethyl aerylate content of 87% by weight and a reduced viscosity of 1.32 as measured at 30 C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of copolymer in 100 ml. of N,N-dimethyllormamide. The copolymcr was isolated and dried.

A 40 3. portion of the above Z-cyanoethyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate copolymcr was dissolved in 1200 g. of acetonltrlle at room temperature. Then 360 g. 01 a tcrpolymer containing about 70% by weight of acrylonitrile. about by weight of vinyl chloride, and about 10% by weight of vinylidene chloride, said terpolymer having a reduced viscosity of 1.72 as measured at 30 C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of terpolymer per 100 ml. of N,N-dimethylformamide, and 16 g. of a 50/50 mixture of dioctyltin maleate and 2-(2-cthylhexyloxy)- 5-ethyl-2-oxo-4-propyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinane as heat and light stabilizers were added and mixed to form a slurry. The slurry contained 10% by weight of the 2-cyanoethyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate copolymer, based on the total resin weight. The temperature of the slurry was raised, while agitating, to about C. to solva-te the resin. At this point 25 g. of N,N-dimethylformamide was added to assure complete homogeneity in the spinning solution. The solution was spun, as described in Example 1, to produce a 100 filament, 282 denier yarn (Yarn V11). A control yarn (Yarn Vlll) was spun in a similar manner Lrom the same tcrpolymcr containing the same heat and light stabilizers but without any Z-cyanocthyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate copolymcr present. The properties of the yarns are summarized below:

Samples of fabric weighing 16.3 g. and knit from each of the yarns were dyed as described in Example 1, section (A). Yarn Vll was dyed an attractive deep red shade and dye absorption values determined by Procedure 1 after completion of the dyeing showed that 63.9% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Control Yarn Vlll was dyed a lighter red shade and dye absorption values determined by Procedure 1 after completion of the dyeing showed that only 40.8% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Thus the dye absorption of Yarn V11 was 56% greater then that of Yarn V111.

Example 5 A copolymcr was produced by reacting a mixture of g. of Z-cyanocthyl acrylate, 10 g. of Z-othylhexyl acrylate, 250 g. of acetonitrile, 5 ml. of a 25% by weight solution of diacctyl peroxide in dimethyl phthalate, and 0.25 g. of mixed tertiary mereaptans (a mixture of t-dodecyl, t-tetradecyl and t-hexadecyl mercaptans) at 50' C. for 15 hours as described in Example 1. Conversion was to a Z-eyanoethyl aerylate/Z-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymcr having a Z-cyanoethyl acrylate content of 87% by weight and a reduced viscosity of 1.07 was measured at 30' C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of copolymer in ml. of N,N-dimcthyllormamidc. The copolymcr was isolated and dried.

A 50 3. portion of the above copolymcr was dissolved in 1500 g. of acctonitrile at room temperature. Then 450 g. of a terpolymer containing about 70% by weight of acrylonitrile. about 20% by weight of vinyl chloride, and about 10% by weight of vinylidene chloride, said tcrpolymer having a reduced viscosity of 1.30 as measured at 30 C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of terpolymer per 100 ml. of N,N=rlimcthylformamide, and 16 g. of a 50/50 mixture of dloctyl tin maleate and 2-(2-ethy1hexyloxy)- 5 -ethyl-2-oxo-4 propyl 1,3,2 dioxaphosphorinane were added and mixed to form a slurry. The slurry contained 10% by weight of the Z-eyanoethyl acrylate/Z-ethylhcxyl acrylate copolymer, based on the total resin weight. The temperature of the slurry was raised, while agitating. to about 80 C. to obtain a homogeneous solution. The solution was spun as described in Example 1 to produce a. 100 filament, 298 denier yarn (Yarn 1X). A control yarn (Yarn X) was spun in a similar manner from the same terpolymer containing the same stabilizers but without any 2-cyanoethyl aerylate/Z-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer present. The properties of the yarns are summarized below:

Samples of fabric weighing 13.5 g. and knit from each of the yarns were dyed as described in Example 1, section (B) using the conventional dyeing procedure and a dyebath similar to Dyebath 1 of Example 1, section (B). Yarn 1X was dyed an attractive dark blue shade and dye absorption values as determined by Procedure 11 after completion of the dyeing showed that 16.8% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Control Yarn X was dyed a light blue shade and dye absorption values as determined by Procedure 11 after completion of the dyeing showed that only 1.42% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Thus the dye absorption of Yarn 1X was 1080% greater than that of Yarn X.

Example 6 A copolymer was produced by reacting a mixture of 70 g. of Z-cyanoethyl rnethacrylate, 20 g. of 2-ethylhexyl acryla'te, 150 g. of acetonitrile, and ml. of a 25% by weight solution of diacetyl peroxide in dimethy phthalate at 50' C. for about 21% hours as described in Example 1. Conversion was 96% to a 2-cyanoethyl methacrylate/2-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer having a 2-cyanoethyl methacrylate content of 82% by weight and a reduced viscosity of 0.57 as measured at 30' C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of copolymer in 100 ml. of N,N-dimethylformamide. The copolymer was isolated and dried.

A 40 3. portion of the above eopolymer was dissolved in 1200 g. of acctonitrile at room temperature. Then 360 grams of the same lerpolymer described in Example 4, and 16 grams of the same 50/50 mixture of heat and light stabilizer described in Example 1 were added. The mixture, which contained by weight of the 2-cyanoethyl methacrylate/Z-ethylhcxyl acrylate copolymer. based on the total resin weight, was heated to form a homogeneous solution. g. of ethylene carbonate was added, and it was then spun into yarn. as described in Example 1, to a 100 filament, 272 denier yarn (Yarn X1). A control yarn (Yarn X11) was spun in a similar manner from the same terpolymer containing the same stabilizers but without the Z-cynnoethyl methncrylate/Z- cthylhcxyl acrylate copolymer present. The properties of the yarns are summarized below:

Yarn X1 X11 Tensile stron th, g.p.d S. 0 3. 5

Eton t a, percent 20.0 18. 8

Samples of fabric weighing 12.5 g. and knit from each of the yarns were dyed as described in Example 1, section (A) using the same dyestufl' therein employed. Yarn X1 was dyed an attractive deep red shade and dye absorption values as determined by Procedure 1 after completion of the dyeing showed that 62% of the dye available had been adsorbed by the fabric. Control Yarn X11 was dyed a lighter red shade and dye absorption values as determined by Procedure 1 after completlon of the dyeing showed that only 40.8% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Thus the dye absorption of Yarn X1 was 52% greater than that of Yarn X11.

10 Example 7 A copolymer was produced by reacting a mixture of 120 g. of 2-cyanocthyl acrylate, 13.4 g. of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 166.8 g. of acetonitrile, and 5.15 g. of a 25% by weight solution of diacctyl peroxide in dimethyl phthalate at 50" C. for about 3% hours as described in Example Conversion was about 42% to a Z-cyanocthyl acrylate/Z-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer having a 2- cyanoethyl acrylatc content of 89.7% by weight and a reduced viscosity of 2.17 as measured at 30 C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of copolymer in 100 ml. of N,N-dimethylformamide. The copolymer was isolated and dried.

A 40 g. portion of the above copolymer was dissolved in 1200 g. of acetonitrile at room temperature. Then 360 g. of a terpolymer rcsin of the composition described in Example 4 but having a reduced viscosity of 1.55 at 30 C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of terpolymcr per 100 ml. of N,N-dimethylformamide, and 16 g. of the same heat and light stabilizers were added to the solution. The mixture, which contained 10% by weight of the 2-cyanoethyl acrylate/Z-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer, based on the total resin weight, was heated to C. to form a homogeneous solution and it was then spun into yarn, as described in Example 1. to produce a filament, 257 denier yarn (Yarn X111). A control yarn (Yarn XIV) was spun in a similar manner from the same lerpolymer containing the same stabilizers but without the 2'eyanoethyl acrylatc/Z-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer present. The properties of the yarns are summarized below:

Samples of fabric weighing 15.5 g. and knit from each of the yarns were dyed from a boiling 4% (based on the weight of the fabric) Xylene Milling Blue BL (Colour index 833) dyebath of liquor to fabric ratio 30 ml.:1 g. The dycbath contained, in addition to the dyestuti and water, 1.5% of the cationic condensation product of ethylene glycol and an organic amine, i.e.. a methyl polyethanol quaternary amine which is marketed under the trade name "Percgal OK" as a leveling agent, 3.8% of sodium p-phenylphenoxide. 2.5% of sulfuric acid. 0.75% of cupric sulfate and 0.3% of zinc formaldehyde sulfoxylate. Yarn XllI was dyed a dark attractive blue shade; and dye absorption values as determined by Procedure 11 after completion of the dyeing showed that 49.4% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Control Yarn XIV was dyed a light blue shade; and dye absorption values as determined by Procedure lI after completion of the dyeing showed that 19.6% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Thus the dye absorption of Yarn X111 was 152% greater than that of Yarn XIV.

Example 8 A copolymer was produced by reacting a mixture of 270 g. of 2-eyanoethyl acrylate, 30 g. of Z-ethylhexyl acrylate, 450 g. of acetonitrile. and 17.6 g. of a 25% by weight solution of diacetyl peroxide in dimethyl phthalate at 50 C. for about 3 hours as described in Example 1. Conversion was 83.6% to a 2-cyanoethy1 aerylatel2- ethylhexyl acrylate eopolymer having a 2-eyanoethyl acrylate content of 83.6% by weight and a reduced viscosity of 2.26 as measured at 30' C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of copolymer in 100 ml. of N.N-dimethylformnmldc. The eopolymer was isolated and dried.

A 13 a. portion of the above copolymer was dissolved in 625 g. of ethylene carbonate at about C. The solution was cooled to 40' C. and 117 g. of polyaerylonltrlle having a reduced viscosity of 1.67 as measured at 11 30' C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of polyacrylonitrile in I ml. of N,N-dimethylformamide, 2.6 g. of dioctyltin maleate as light and heat stabilizer, and 112 g. of distilled water were added. The mixture was heated, while agitating, to 90' C. to produce a clear homogeneous solution and spun. The multifiiament yarn was coaguiated in n 90 C. dipropylene glycol bath. The yarn was withdrawn from the bath, washed with water, and then leached in water heated to 80 C. for 30 minutes to remove er;- ccss solvent from the yarn before drying in an air oven at 60 C. Two ends of the yarn were stretched together to the extent of l000% by passing through a steam stretching tube at I36 C., twisted. continuously annealed at I90 C. allowing i570 relaxation, and wound into a package. The resulting 200 filament, 249 denier yarn (Yarn XV) contained by weight of the Z-cyanoetltyl ecrylate/Z-ethyihexyl acrylate copolymer. A control yarn (Yarn XVI) was spun from the same polyacrylonitrile containing the same stabilizer but without any 2- cyanocthyl acrylate/2-cthylhexylacryiate eopolymer preseat. The properties of the yarns are summarized below:

Samples of fabric knit from each of the yarns were dyed with Xylene Milling Blue BL as described in Example 7. Yarn XV was dyed an attractive dark blue shade and dye absorption values as determined by Procedure II after completion of the dyeing showed that 37.9% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Control Yarn XVI was dyed a light blue shade and dye absorption values as determined by Procedure it after completion of the dyeing showed that 16% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Thus the dye absorption of Yarn XV was 136% greater than that of control Yarn XVI.

Example 9 A copolymer was produced by reacting a mixture of 70 g. of ZcyanoethyI mcthacrylate. 20 g. of z-ethylhexyl acrylate, I50 g. of aeetonitrile, and 5 ml. of a by weight solution of diacctyl peroxide in dimethyl phthalate at 50' C. for about 2t hours as described in Example I. Conversion was 95% to a Z-cyanoethyl methacrylate/Z- ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer having a Z-cyanocthyl mcthaerylate content of 8|.9% by weight and a reduced viscosity of 0:566 as measured at C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of copolymer in I00 ml. of N.N-dimcthylformamide. 'Ihe copolymer was isolated and dried.

A 40 g. portion of the above copolymcr was dissolved in I200 g. of acctonitrile at room temperature. Then 360 g. of terpolymer similar in composition to that used in Example I and having a reduced viscosity of 1.72 as measured at 30' C. from a solution of 0.2 g. of terpolymer in I00 ml. of N,N-dimcthylformamide, and 16 g. of the heat and light stabilizers used in Example I were added. The mixture was heated, while agitating, to produce a clear homogeneous solution. and spun as described in Example I to produce a 100 filament, 272 denier yarn (Yarn XVII) containing [0% by weight of the 2-cyanoethyl methaeryIate/2-ethyl-hexyl ncryiate eopolymer. During the spinning a small amount of ethylene carbonate was added to the spinning solution. A control ynrn (Yarn XVIII) was spun from the same terpolymcr containing the same stabilizers but without any 2-cyanoethyi methacrylate/Z-cthylhexyl acrylate copolymer present. The properties of the yarns are summarized below:

Samples of fabric weighing I25 g. and knit from each of the yarns were dyed with Celiiton Fast Red GGA as described in Example I, section (A). Yarn XVII was dyed an attractive deep red color and dye absorption values as determined by Procedure I after completion of the dyeing showed that 62% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Control Yarn XVII was dyed a medium pink shade and dye absorption values as determined by Proccdure 1 after completion of the dying showed that 40.8% ofthe dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Thus the dye absorption of Yarn XVII was 52% greater than that of control Yarn XVIII.

Similar sired samples of each fabric were dyed with Xylene Milling Blue BL by the dyeing method described in Example 1, section (B) using a dyebath similar to Dyebath I as described therein. Yarn XVII was dyed an attractive dark blue shade and dye absorption values as determined by Procedure II after completion of the dyeing showed that l3% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Control Yarn XVIII was dyed a light blue shade and dye absorption values as determined by Procedure it after completion of the dyeing showed that 5.2% of the dye available had been absorbed by the fabric. Thus the dye absorption of Yarn XVII was 150% greater than that of control Yarn XVIII.

What is claimed is:

l. A dycable fiber-forming composition comprising a blend of (A) from about to by weight of an acrylonitrile polymer having a content of at least about 35% by weight of polymerized acrylonitn'le and not more than about 65% by weight of at least one other polymerizable monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl chloride and yinylidene chloride copolymcrized therewith and (B) from about 5% to 20% by weight of a eopoiymcr of a cyanoethyl acrylatc ester represented by the general formula:

with an alkyl acrylate ester represented by the general formula:

It CIII=CCOOW wherein R represents a member selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and a methyl radical, and R represents an alkyl radical containing from I to about 12 carbon atoms; said copolymer containing in the copolymer molecule from about 60% to about 95% by weight of cyanoethyl acrylate ester represented by the general formula:

R CIIFCOOOC IIlOIItCN and from about 5% to about 40% by weight of alkyl acrylatc ester represented by the general formula:

R Gilt-6000 It 2. The composition as claimed in claim I wherein the polymer of acrylonitrile (A) is polyacrylonltrlle.

3. The composition as claimed in claim I wherein the 13 polymer of acrylonitrile (A) is a copolymer containing about 40% by weight of acrylonitrile and about 60% by weight of vinyl chloride.

4. The composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the polymer of acrylonitrile (A) is a terpolymer containing about 70% by weight of acrylonitrile, about 20% by weight of vinyl chloride, and about 10% by weight of vinylidene chloride.

5. The composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the copolymer (B) is a copolymer of Z-cyanoethyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

6. The composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the copolymer (B) is a copolymer of Z-cyanoethyl methacrylate and Z-ethylhexyl acrylate.

7. The composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the copolymer (8) is a copolymer of Z-cyanoethyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate.

8. The composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the copolymer (B) is a copolymer of 2-cyanoethyl acrylate and methyl methacryla-te.

9. A synthetic fiber comprising (A) from about 80% to 95% by weight of an acrylonitrile polymer having a content of at least about 35% by weight of polymerized acrylonitrile and not more than about 65% by weight of at least one other polymerizablc monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride copolymerizcd therewith and (B) from about to 20% by weight of a copolymer of a cyanoethyl aerylate ester represented by the general formula:

14 with an alkyl acrylate ester represented by the general formula:

CIIF-( JOOOCIHCHQCN and from about 5% to about by weight of alkyl acrylate ester represented by the general formula.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,4$l,178 Semegcn Oct. l2,1948 2,688,008 Chaney et al Aug. 3 l, 1954 2,835,646 Sell May 20, 1958 2,850,478 Coover et al Sept. 2, i958 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Pa tent. No. 3, 113, 122 December 3, 1963 Edward M. Le Combe et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent reqiiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 10, in the table, third column, line 3 thereof for "2.5" read 2.0 same table, same third column, line 5 thereof, for "5.0" read 5.5 column l2 line 18, for "XVII" read XVIII Signed and sealed this 16th day of June 1964.

(SEAL Alteat:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Amsating Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A DYEABLE FIBER-FORMING COMPOSITION COMPRISING A BLEND OF (A) FROM ABOUT 80% TO 95% BY WEIGHT OF AN ACRYLONITRILE POLYMER HAVING A CONTENT OF AT LEAST ABOUT 35% BY WEIGHT OF POLYMERIZED ACRYLONITRILE AND NOT MORE THAN ABOUT 65% BY WEIGHT OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER POLYMERIZABLE MONOMER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF VINYL CHLORIDE AND VINYLIDENE CHLORIDE COPOLYMERIZED THEREWITH AND (B) FROM ABOUT 5% TO 20% BY WEIGHT OF A COPOLYMER OF A CYANOETHYL ACRYLATE ESTER REPRESENTED BY THE GENERAL FORMULA: 